Shutemdown

I've always been pretty impartial about Sean Avery. Never really liked him, but I never hated him by any means. Anyways, that interview was hilarious! Made me laugh a couple times... Definately worth a watch. Thanks for posting!

Ok... the point was just proven in all of your posts. Thank you to everyone who posted their thoughts. There's no need to argue. Just as Radulov caught some heat for leaving his North American club to play oversees, imagine the European fans that saw a favorite player of theirs move to America and become a star. What if Radulov would have prospered in Russia? What if he became a superstar there? Would everyone be alright with it and completely agree? No... I can imagine the fans, particularly Nashville's fans, would feel like they had been robbed. Just as he "defected" to Russia to play overseas, their players come here. Still... you have to understand Europe being a little bitter. One would think that giving compensation to those European teams for their homegrown talent would make this whole ordeal alot easier... Maybe NA teams SHOULD pay a larger sum in order to contract players overseas. It would probably result in a more mutual, two-sided relationship.

Link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../810010410/1053 "Having played with Filppula before, Cleary knows what his center likes. "You have to make sure you back-check because he doesn't back-check very well," Cleary said, smiling. "No, that's just a little joke. With Fill, he's got so much untapped potential. I played a lot with him last year, so I know he's always looking to pass, so you have to be ready to shoot at all times. Sammy's a real shooter, so he'll be shooting and I'll be in front of the net. Fill is so creative -- he's not afraid to try things and take guys one-on-one, so I just have to support him." "I feel more comfortable playing center, so I'm happy, and I get to play with really good players, so I hope it's going to be fun," he said. "Both are good skaters who can shoot the puck really well, so that's a good thing." As for playing with Cleary, Filppula smiled and said, "I would like to see him back-check once. That would be nice."

You just made a contrdicting point to the argument, though. You said so yourself-- Sammy is a "space filler". So... getting back to the discussion/debate at hand which is NOT Sammy's salary or if he deserves it, it's whether or not he still deserves his spot on the team with our young up-and-comers. The point as a whole is that his "spot" could be given to someone with more upside. Sameulsson has been here for 3, going on 4, years and hasn't progressed that greatly over the past 3 years. Everyone here (for the most part) agrees-- his play is streaky at times. So why "fill space" on a team that has so much young talent ready to flood into the system? Don't get me wrong... he's solid in most regards. He's proven he can still score goals, although they come in flourishes and then disappear. Nothing against him for that, but if his play is still sitting at the same level going into a 4th season, then maybe it's time for a change. Helm could play in his place for probably LESS money and do a BETTER job. With Helm, the sky's the limit... his potential has barely been tapped into. Sammy has hit the cieling in terms of his overall development. He's shown that there's not too much more to be seen from him, besides what we've already seen. Once again, nothing against Sammy personally, but why have a "space filler" on a team of stars and talented youth? Get these young'n's in the system and let 'em play!

Link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...3/1053/SPORTS05

Ok... little off-topic, but I'll post. First off, I still have hope that the organization will try to retain ALL their current players next year, including Hossa. Assuming he sticks around, I would love to see the lines like this: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmer Hossa-Filpulla-Franzen Hudler- Helm-Leino Kopecky-Draper-Cleary This leaves out both Maltby and Samuelsson... nothing against either of them, Maltby used to be one of my favorite players, but their time is coming to a close. Maltby's production has gone waaaaaaaaaaaaay down. Compared to years past, he's just not the same. I understand he's a role-player, but his spot could be filled by someone with more upside. Samuelsson has always been towards the bottom of my list, but I've never really had a problem with him. Nowadays, though, there are way too many players waiting to come up to keep him around. I know he's a bargain, he's solid defensively, etc. Either way, Helm could do the same defensively, while being faster and more accurate. (I'm so tired of watching Sammy rifle them wide...) Kopecky didn't gain my respect until the first preseason game this year. He always seemed to be injured, and there seemed like there was a lack of motivation for him. However, watching him play, he's actually pretty good. He's a HUGE kid that likes to hit. He's got good hands, too. Ideally, I'd love to see Abdelkader-Helm-Leino. Abby's already got my support... he's SO good! Helm remains one of my fav's... he's just got so much drive and determination. The kid never lets up. Leino will be solid next year... I think a year in GR will help him greatly. Won't take long though!

Taken from the Free Press: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../809300384/1053 There was a great little moment Monday in the Red Wings' locker room when coach Mike Babcock, unsure of how long Jiri Hudler had been a pro, yelled a question at Hudler. "Huds, how many years you been here? This year three if you make the team this year?" Hudler laughed, and Babcock smiled. The exchange shows just how Hudler, 24, has progressed, for not only is there no doubt he will make the team, but Babcock -- who in years past faulted Hudler's inconsistency -- has him slated to play on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Hudler beat out Dan Cleary and Mikael Samuelsson. "He's a pure scorer," Babcock said of Hudler. "Sammy is a streak scorer, and I think Hudler is an all-the-time scorer." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You know with Babs, he's not going to put you in situations if he doesn't trust you," Kris Draper said. "Huds had to go out and earn that trust, and that's really what he did with the way that he played and how responsible he was at both ends of the ice." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Player updates: While discussing Zetterberg's improvement, Babcock nodded at Darren Helm and said, "You want to talk about improvement in one year -- unbelievable. Fantastic. I think his line, whatever line he plays with, and Zetterberg's line have been the best two lines in camp."... Nicklas Lidstrom (broken nose, bloody eye) won't play before Wednesday, and when he does he'll wear a visor that he hopes he'll grow used to and wear permanently. ... Datsyuk (groin) did not practice and won't play tonight.

Taken from mlive: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...lkader_imp.html The Muskegon native realizes his chances of making the Red Wings roster are slim. They are set with their top 12 forwards. If they carry a 13th forward, it will be either Aaron Downey, Darren McCarty, Ville Leino or Darren Helm. "I'll just play my game and do what I can to help the team in the future and show them what kind of hockey I play,'' Abdelkader said. "There's really no expectations. Obviously, you want to make the Red Wings, but they're so stacked up front that it's a tough lineup to crack. Wherever they put you, hopefully it's going to be the best for your development and hopefully play with the Red Wings some day.'' He will definitely play for the Red Wings, perhaps next season, maybe at some point this season as a injury replacement. He's a good skater who forechecks hard, plays the body and is dependable defensively. He is projected to be a third-line NHL player. "Losing a guy like Dallas Drake (who retired), he provided a lot of (grit) for them,'' Abdelkader said. "I know they're looking for guys to bring that physical play and that's one of my best attributes. Hopefully they see that and I can help them out.'' Coach Mike Babcock said he's been impressed with Abdelkader's work ethic, among other things. "He plays the game right and plays the game hard,'' Babcock said. "He's got to get up to NHL speed and NHL understanding and NHL hands to handle the puck, but he's a guy who's going to push for a job on the Red Wings one day.'' "I'm a lot more comfortable here,'' Abdelkader said. "I'm more confident on the ice and everything's not so new -- the system, the coaches, the players. It's like I've been to this training camp three or four years.''

Kinda sucks for him that he was named captain of the team and can't even wear the 'C'.

Link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...BLOG09/80929046 I just spoke to Nicklas Lidstrom, and he told me isn’t going to play Tuesday at Montreal, where his group of Red Wings are slated to play. “I’m not sure when I’ll play again,” Lidstrom said. “We have to take it day-by-day. I’m going to see a specialist tomorrow.” Lidstrom has blood in the outer corner of his right eye, the result of being hit by a puck last Wednesday. Lidstrom also told me he is leaning towards making a visor a permanent part of his gear. “I’m going to try to get used to it and then wear it permanently,” Lidstrom said. Mike Babcock said Lidstrom probably would play Wednesday. Niklas Kronwall will take Lidstrom's spot tomorrow. In other injury-update news: Pavel Datsyuk (groin) did not skate this morning with his group, and Babcock said Datsyuk is out for Tuesday's game, too.

From the Free Press: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SPORTS05 EDMONTON - Marian Hossa signing in Detroit, of all places, seemed to come out of left field, but the Red Wings actually had a deal in place to trade for the free-agent winger in February and they'd also spoken money with his agent, Ritch Winter. When the Wings outlasted the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 to win the Stanley Cup, Detroit coach Mike Babcock, so the story goes, came upon Hossa in the handshake line and whispered "See you soon" to the big winger. Hossa, who was stunned when Pittsburgh traded for him in February, coming into the picture in the last half-hour or so, maybe at the urging of Mario Lemieux, is now on the No. 1 line in Detroit with Pavel Datsyuk (out right now with an undisclosed injury) and Tomas Holmstrom. He signed a one-year, $7.4-million contract, leaving a truckload of money on the table from other teams. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I remember Chris Chelios phoning Marian and saying, 'If you're just coming here to win a Stanley Cup, don't do it,' " said Winter. "He told Marian, 'We're good, but even if we're good we don't win every year.' He told Marian the benefit of coming to Detroit would be to learn from (Nick) Lidstrom and (Steve) Yzerman, about the sacrifices you have to make. He can take that to other teams if he doesn't stay in Detroit." The Wings took on Hossa for this season but GM Ken Holland will have his hands full next year fitting him into the cap because he's working on a new deal for Henrik Zetterberg (at least $8 million a year) and fellow second-line winger Johan Franzen. Lidstrom, out with a broken nose (he's lucky an errant puck didn't smack him in the eye in camp), will also be in the second year of his $7.45-million contract. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah... ok. He's been called up due to injuries and played well when he was needed. He came through for us last year come playoff time and proved he could hang. Am I saying he should be on the roster right now? No. But am I saying that he's tried and failed with every opportunity given and he doesn't deserve to still be around? Nope. I think you're wrong in saying that he was basically handed a chance and he f***ed up, whereas he was given a shot at playing and he played, but there are others that still take the spot over him. Look at Ericsson. Everyone lusts over him, he's been called up a couple times and played well, he has all the tools necessary, but he'll still play in Grand Rapids. (You can bring up waivers all you want, it's still, in reality, the same.) With our logjam on D, it's not surprising that Quincey doesn't play, but don't discredit him by saying it's because he's played poorly. Give credit where credit is due. It's going to be quite the feat cracking this line-up, no matter who you are, but very little will come down to skill. I watched him play on Wednesday and he was probably our best defenseman out there along with Ericsson.

He's got a groin injury.

Wow... this board is so hot-cold sometimes... We were just talking a week ago about how Quincey is a solid D-man with good potential. What happened? One preseason game goes by and he's no longer a good prospect? He's a big body, he's solid defensively (maybe not in the game you saw, but still), and he's been training to fight with Downey. Lilja isn't going anywhere, you can tell Babcock is pretty fond of him. I watched Quincey play in the first preseason game and he played really well. He was arguably the best D-man for us that game, besides Ericsson. I wouldn't be too quick to write him off... he's still definately a legit defenseman.

It just goes to show that one man's trash is another man's treasure. (Maybe notACTUALLY trash, I can't hate on him that bad... he was a Wing at one time). Either way, it just shows you how he wasn't that good here and didn't really do alot, but we trained him and gave him a solid work ethic and he's thriving on another team. He went from invisible here to being a standout in Toronto. If anything, good for him. Have fun with our leftovers, Toronto!

I got an e-mail from them finally telling me the #40 was sold out and that I would recieve a #24 if I continued with my order. I told them that I was NOT interested if it was #24, and to please refund my money to my account. This is was I recieved back from them: Dear John.S******, Thanks for shopping at LightInTheBox.com. We are sorry for all the inconvenience happened and your understanding will be highly appreciated. Please don't worry about your payment. We will refund for you as soon as possible. It will take 1-3 working days in process and Please check your Paypal account on that time. Hope we will serve you in your near future. -- Any further questions or problems, please feel free to contact us ASAP. Victor Customer Service LightInTheBox.com and then: Dear John S******, Light in the box Limited. (CS@Lighinthebox.com) has issued you a full or partial refund for your payment. Message from merchant: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Original Payment Details ---------------------------------------------------------------- Date Payment Sent: Sep. 15, 2008 Amount: $51.96 USD I want to know if I got the shipping refunded, too, or if I'll only REALLY recieve the $22.18. We'll see...

I could see Helm getting a little furstrated, just because he's had a taste of the big leagues, and he thrived completely. There wasn't a single catch in his step. He took the opportunity and ran with it. He exceeded his expectations. If I had been in that situation, getting praise and recognition from a team and it's fans, I'd be pretty bummed having to go back to GR. For someone that grew up dreaming of playing professional hockey, that's gotta be demoralizing at times. Either way, it will test his devotion to the team... put in the time, be patient, and you will be rewarded. Leino's still too new to be given a spot on the roster this year. He's still too unproven. He's had spurts of brilliance, and has drawn praise from Babs and the rest of the team, but he still needs time to prove he's earned a spot. There are too many other people that have been waiting in line for a chance to just give it to him straight up. Howard's been training forever, but, like someone else said, he still needs work. Even Ozzie had to re-evaluate his play style and almost "re-invent" himself a couple years ago because he was streaky at times. It can take upwards of 5 years to train a goalie... and in some cases even more. He will be given his chance in time... and if he can't cut it, we've got VERY promising goaltenders in Daniel Larsson and Thomas McCollum.

Link: http://www.redwingscentral.com/redwingscor...288617171237243 Tomas Kopecky's knockout hit on Mathieu Carle was effective, so much so that at first glance you assumed it was dirty. But both sides said after tonight's game that Kopecky's hit was clean and that Carle was caught admiring his own pass. "On the first thought, it was a bad hit or somebody blind-sided him," said Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau. "I came down. I looked at it on the tape. The timing was there. Mathieu had his head down a little bit. Kopecky came across, he wasn't trying to gain speed, he was trying to make contact with Mathieu. The shoulder just hit the head." Carle released a neutral-zone pass and continued skating towards the offensive blue line. A backchecking Kopecky came from behind Carle on the left and put his shoulder into the defenseman. The hit was a tad late and Carle was way too long in admiring his pass. The result was a check that knocked Carle unconscious. The rookie was conscious before leaving the ice and returned from hospital in time to leave Detroit with the Habs. "You never want to see anyone get hurt," said Kopecky.

I watched it front row... the whole crowd went nuts, then quickly silenced when they realized he wasn't moving. Surprisingly, (I could tell he was out cold the second it happened, his body fell like a rock, no sign of life), play continued for another maybe 10 seconds and resulted in a scrap behind the Habs' net. No one really figured out how severe it was until they brought a stretcher on the ice. Either way, Kopecky was getting thrown around all game, that was one of his best hits, and boy, was it a doozy.

Is this not the perfect environment for a fan, new or old, to ask questions related to thier favorite hockey team? He asked a simple question and got more "You're an idiot, you must be new or know nothing about hockey, scoff" than helpful answers to his questions. If it's SUCH a hassle to repeat yourself, then how about NOT SAYING ANYTHING AT ALL and letting someone else with more patience answer their questions in a normal manner. I thought that's what these forums are for, not ganging up on people who don't know as much. Why are people trying to prove whose e-penis is bigger? There's no point. I've watched the Wings my whole life and didn't figure out that their preseason jerseys were different until I went to the game on Wednesday (the first preseason Wings game I've ever been to.) Does that make me any less of a fan? Does that mean I don't know anything about hockey? No. It means I let a small detail get by. Stop getting on people for asking questions.

Exactly. In terms of scoring and point-production, Crosby would, in most cases, get the nod. However, it's hard to overlook Datsyuk's assists every year and also, his take-away ability. His ability to strip the puck is second-to-none... no one even comes close to comparing. Crosby is offensively a powerhouse, but Datsyuk is the better of the two when it comes to being defensively-minded.

Link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../809240415/1053 "Everyone talks about needing a fighter, but the best players get to play," Mike Babcock said. "I believe that Downey did a great job for us last year keeping the flies off. I like to have a guy like that. But he's got to make the team, just like everybody else." It might be difficult for the Wings to turn away the speed of Helm or the puck-sense of Leino, because either one would make it easier to roll four lines by ensuring that every line is loaded with offensive potential. "Do you get rid of a better player to have a one-dimensional player sit there? We've always had a difficult time letting a skill player go for an enforcer," general manager Ken Holland said. "We understand the importance of protecting our skill players, but I know how hard they are to find, too, and it's hard to get rid of a skill player to have somebody ride shotgun." Holland pointed out that, in general, enforcers are becoming less and less a part of the game. "One-dimensional players are getting eliminated from the game," he said. "There's so much parity in the league, every night is a playoff game. You can't carry a guy who sits for all but three minutes a night over 82 games." Thoughts? Opinions?

Just wait until we get the other half of our team... I doubt they'll be saying the same thing once the big, red monster comes alive again.

Don't buy it!! I watched Hossa play last night, and he is definately #81. I was also wearing my Hossa jersey t-shirt, which sports the #81. I would inform this guy that he's crazy and let him know that Hossa is, in fact, wearing the number 81. He's either really high or just trying to make bank off of stupid people... Don't buy it!

Nah, I know man... those were the initial moments of frustration and fuming when it sank in. It's just crazy that the first 2 people to do it got Zetterberg jerseys and now ten people will get Chelios jerseys. Ah well. Serves us all right, I guess. I did laugh pretty hard at: "never think the chinese got your back...the could give a $#!t less."